Planning for a Major

Students planning to major in math who have taken Multivariable Calculus (Math 121) but not Advanced Calculus (Math 216) should also have taken Linear Algebra (Math 215) prior to declaring the major. It is important to have some advance exposure to the rigor and abstraction that can be expected in later courses.

Majors should normally plan to complete Analysis I (Math 317) and Algebra I (Math 333) and either  Analysis II (Math318) or Algebra I (Math 334) by the end of their junior years. Many other advanced courses require one or both of these sequences as a prerequisite, and the senior paper typically draws heavily on this material. In some special cases it might be acceptable to postpone one or both semesters of Algebra or Analysis to the senior year, but this may narrow your options.

Students considering graduate school in mathematics should take as many courses at the 300-level as possible, and begin work on their senior paper early (i.e. by the end of their junior year) so that it can play a role in the graduate application process. Summer research is also a very valuable experience, and it is a good idea to acquire experience as a grader, tutor, or work in Math Question Center since graduate schools often value these skills highly.

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This page maintained by jtecosky@haverford.edu. Last updated 7/24/02